A Vermont man has pleaded guilty in federal court to failing to register as a sex offender, as required by the federal Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan.
David Courtemarche, 45, admitted guilt to one count of failing to register as a sex offender. U.S. District Court Judge Paul J. Barbadoro set sentencing for March 2, 2026.
Court documents state that Courtemarche was convicted in Vermont in 2003 for sexual assault involving a victim under the age of 16. As a result of this conviction, SORNA and related state laws require him to register as a sex offender in any state where he lives or works. SORNA allows three days for registration after moving or beginning employment in another state.
Although Courtemarche’s registration paperwork from Vermont informed him of these requirements and he claimed residency there, authorities determined that by at least August 2022 he began working in New Hampshire and by November 2023 had started living there. Despite knowing about the legal obligation to register as a sex offender in New Hampshire under both state and federal law, he did not do so.
The statute under which Courtemarche was charged carries a maximum sentence of up to ten years in prison, at least five years of supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000. Sentencing decisions are made by federal judges following the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
The United States Marshals Service led the investigation with support from the New Hampshire State Police, Littleton Police Department, and Lancaster Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Hunter is prosecuting the case.
“This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice,” according to the press release. “Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.” More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
